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How to Cite a Speech Using MLA Format

When you listen to a speech and later use information from that speech in a research paper or a written report, you may be required to provide information so that a reader can go back and retrace your research steps to understand how you came to the conclusions in your paper. Speeches are good resource materials because they are considered primary sources, which means that the information in them was not filtered by a second or third party reporting the content, but rather is firsthand. If you are using MLA format, a speech citation actually appears much similar to a book citation, which is why the format is so simple to use.

Speaker's name
Title or type of speech (if any)
Name of the event
Venue, city and state where the speech was given
Date of presentation

Instructions

- 1
  Begin with the name of the speaker. The name should be listed "last name, first name middle initial." You do not need to include titles. If you do not have all of this information, then provide all you can. For example, if the speaker's name is Dr. Leon Barswold, then your citation should begin:
  
  Barswold, Leon.
- 2
  Provide information about the type of speech or include the title in quotation marks. Many speeches do not have official titles but are simply identified as a type. Types of speeches include keynote address, speaker introduction, introductory address and closing ceremony address. This information should be followed by a period. For example, if the speech was a commencement lecture, then your citation should now read:
  
  Barswold, Leon. Commencement Lecture.
- 3
  Add details about the venue and name of the conference or event where the speech was held. The name of the event should be followed by a period, and the venue by a comma. For example, if the address was given at the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium for graduation, then your citation should now read:
  
  Barswold, Leon. Commencement Lecture. University of Georgia Graduation. Sanford Stadium,
- 4
  List the city and state where the speech was given. The city should be followed by a comma, and the state can be abbreviated according to U.S. postal codes. For example, if the speech was given in Athens, Georgia, then your citation should read:
  
  Barswold, Leon. Commencement Lecture. University of Georgia Graduation. Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA.
- 5
  Finish with the date of the address. It should be listed in the order "day month year" and the month can be abbreviated with the first three letters of the name. For example, if the address took place on May 5, 2005, then your finished citation should read:
  
  Barswold, Leon. Commencement Lecture. University of Georgia Graduation. Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA. 5 May 2005.

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